VW Group and other automakers express interest in hiring Renschler

Reports have been circulating that Andreas Renschler, former production chief at Mercedes–Benz, is being recruited by the Volkswagen Group to replace its trucks chief Leif Oestling as early as this year. However, it seems that VW is not the only one eyeing to get Renschler as other carmakers have also expressed an interest.

This was divulged by Renschler himself in an interview with auto motor und sport. Renschler has an extensive experience leading Daimler's truck unit for nine years, making him very attractive to VW Group, which is seeking cost savings via closer collaboration between its Scania, MAN and VW commercial-vehicles nameplates.

He was considered as a strong contender to succeed Dieter Zetsche as Daimler’s chief executive, but Renschler has been quoted in reports as saying he didn't believe he would be promoted further at the German carmaker.

Daimler said last week that Renschler was exiting the carmaker "for personal reasons" with immediate effect. Renschler also told auto motor und sport that he is not under any time pressure to decide, adding that he won't be getting a new role until early next year.

Renschler's contract with Daimler contains a clause that prevents him from making an immediate switch to a competitor. Daimler did not reveal the waiting time. Zetsche recently told Bloomberg that Renschler won't be allowed to go to a rival for the "foreseeable future."